“There is an international alliance and a growing support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative,” said Hilale in response to a question at his press conference held following the adoption on Thursday by the Security Council of resolution 2654 which extends the mandate of MINURSO until October 31, 2023.
He said that more than 90 member states of the United Nations support the autonomy plan as a solution to resolve the regional dispute between Morocco and Algeria on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, adding that 30 other countries have opened consulates general in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla.
For these countries, the autonomy plan is the solution to end this artificial dispute, based on compromise, the aim being to avoid scuttling development in the region and jeopardizing integration in the Maghreb, noted the ambassador, adding that autonomy has helped resolve conflicts in 29 countries around the world.
In Morocco, autonomy will allow the population of the Moroccan Sahara to enjoy full rights, freedom, development and prosperity, he said, adding that this initiative, described as serious and credible by the Security Council, opens the prospect of a better future for the populations sequestered in the Tindouf camps in south-western Algeria where they live in “disastrous” conditions for almost half a century.
Responding to a question on the ambiguous position of some European countries, Hilale recalled the clear position expressed by HM King Mohammed VI in his speech on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People when the Sovereign said that the relations of Morocco with other countries are measured by their position on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.
“There is only one Kingdom with its Sahara. What affects Laayoune and Dakhla affects Rabat, Marrakech, Fez and Tangier. There is no separation,” the Moroccan diplomat said, stressing that times have changed … Morocco too.
These countries “must take into consideration the higher interests of the Kingdom and the question of the Moroccan Sahara is at the forefront of these interests,” he said, noting that 11 European countries “have expressed openly and frankly their strong support” for the autonomy initiative as a basis and solution to this regional dispute. An observation that provokes the ire of Algeria, which shelters, finances and arms separatist militias on its territory, he said.
The Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN has also noted that countries are now looking for a realistic, pragmatic solution based on compromise, embodied by the Moroccan autonomy initiative.
Responding to another question on the “lack” of progress on the Moroccan Sahara issue, Hilale stressed that this situation is due to the refusal of Algeria, the main party to this regional dispute, to resume the process of roundtables that have proved “fruitful” in 2018 and 2019.
“Today, we have full confidence in the leadership of Mr. (Staffan) de Mistura (Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara). He has the expertise and experience and we hope he will succeed in calling for a new round table,” said the diplomat, noting that resolution 2654 called on Algeria to clarify its position “to help move towards a solution.” “There is no solution if all parties do not discuss and reach a compromise on the autonomy initiative,” he stressed.
Reiterating Morocco’s position in favor of the resumption of the political process and roundtables, as well as its readiness to discuss autonomy “the only solution within the framework of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom,” Hilale said he expects the Personal Envoy of the UN SG to resume his mission as facilitator and try to organize roundtables as soon as possible.
